Amazon Fire TV

Network and cable TV entities have already accepted the reality that consumers are now more likely to watch their favorite programs not on standard TV sets but rather whenever they want to and wherever they are. So instead of lamenting the death of TV (which is actually a fallacy), they are now scrambling to be where the people are. HBO NOW, the cable network’s Internet only service, will now be available for Android devices and Amazon Fire tablets, and soon, for Chromecast, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV stick as well.

With a good number of great TV-centered devices launched recently, it looks like everybody will have to fight for their spot and market share on that niche. Amazon’s Fire TV has not been particularly a hit to begin with, and as NVIDIA rolls into the market with the SHIELD TV console and the Google Nexus Player gaining traction as both a TV and gaming console, Amazon is keen to show that it has something to offer – beginning with offering GameFly Streaming for the platform.

"It's that guy again! Wasn't he on...uhm...what was that show again?" Normally, when you watch a movie or show and this situation comes up, you pause the video (if you're on demand or on video streaming), get your phone or tablet, then try to search for specific terms that would eventually lead you to who that actor is. But it will take you a few minutes, maybe hours. Now if you have an Amazon device and Amazon Instant Video, it will just take you a few seconds.

Amazon's entries into the streaming market, the Fire TV and the Fire TV Stick are getting significant changes with their latest updates, but don't worry, it's all for the better. It might even convince those who have been skeptical, to actually get one (or even both!) of these devices, The update comes with Bluetooth headset pairing, easier connectivity to hotel WiFi when traveling, and expanded storage so you can view more movies, shows, and play more games on your devices.

With video streaming services and TV casting devices slowly becoming a must, and not just a need, among digital enthusiasts, the race is on to become the go-to name when it comes to "non-traditional" ways of watching movies, TV shows, and even playing games as well. Amazon's Fire TV is staking its claim, adding even more services to its growing base, including streaming service Sling TV which is itself already chock-full of features.

Finally, HBO Go is now on Amazon Fire TV. People have been clamoring for the HBO Go app but it took HBO a while to bring it to the web TV platform. Other platforms already have it but it's only now Amazon Fire TV users can get to enjoy more shows from HBO. This piece of news strengthens the claim that the number of apps available on Amazon Fire TV is now up four times. HBO Go is a great addition especially now that over 1,700 titles are in HBO's archive.

Things are about to heat up in the dongle wars. Amazon has just announced that they have started to ship the first batch of orders of their Fire TV Stick, basically Fire TV shrunk down to an HDMI dongle size. The retailer claims that it is their fastest-selling device ever, and perhaps it shows. The Fire TV Stick is immediately out of stock, with inventories replenished by January 2015. Of course, you can still leave your order and they will be filled if and when the devices arrive.

Amazon might have stumbled a bit when it went out of its comfort zone with the Fire Phone, but that isn't going to stop the giant from taking risks, especially when it comes to its more established markets of video streaming. Some might see the Google's Nexus Player as taking on the Fire TV, so it isn't surprising that Amazon is biting back. The company has just launched the Amazon Fire TV Stick, a familiar HDMI dongle that is unabashedly poised as a Chromecast, and a Roku Streaming Stick, killer.

The Amazon Fire TV has a new app that music fans will love. The app is Spotify Connect and it launched in the US this week allowing fans of music to stream all the content they want via the Amazon hardware. The app has some cool features that make it easy to listen to your favorite tunes on multiple devices.

The Amazon Fire TV proved to be very popular when it launched in the US and then promptly sold out back in April. Anyone in the UK or Germany who had their eyes on the device and have been coveting their own localized version will want to pay attention. German and UK fans can now pre-order the Amazon Fire TV, and if you want one you had better pre-order.